Net holder for table tennis table

ABSTRACT

A net holder for a table tennis table defined by a slide which is received on an elongated hinge pin of a conventional hinge, where the net bracket, in turn, is received in the aforesaid slide. Catch means are provided for maintaining the position after net assembly.

United States Patent Smith et al.

[54] NET HOLDER FOR TABLE TENNIS TABLE [72] Inventors: Max D. Smith; Frank M. Adkins,

both of Evansville, Ind.

[7 3] Assignee: Indian Industries, Inc., Evansville,

Ind.

[22] Filed: May 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 142,441

[52] U.S. Cl ..273/30 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 61/00 [5 8] Field of Search ..273/30, 29 BE, 29 B6 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,931,651 4/1960 Fihe ..273/30 [4 1 Nov. 21, 1972 3,078,094 2/1963 Goodenough ..273/30 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney-Warren D. Flackbert [5 7] ABSTRACT A net holder for a table tennis table defined by a slide which is received on an elongated hinge pin of a conventional hinge, where the net bracket, in turn, is received in the aforesaid slide. Catch means are provided for maintaining the position after net assembly.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures P'A'TENTEDuum I972 Max 0 SM/f f FR/u/K Roz/us Z/ha...

ATTORNEY INVENTORS NET HOLDER FOR TABLE TENNIS TABLE As is known, it is desirable to have a readily removable, yet positively assembled, net bracket for a conventional foldable table tennis table. The invention satisfies such need, providing a net holder which automatically centers, which is adjustable in width, removable, foldable with the table, and, at the same time, which may be a standard component of a new table or adaptable to an existing table.

Briefly, the net holder of the invention comprises a net bracket adapted to be received in a slide, where the latter is received on a pin extending from a hinge which joins the sections of a foldable table tennis table. After the net has been secured to the net holder assembly on either side of the table tennis table, and properly tensioned, catch means secure the desired position. The invention represents a minimum of components and simplicity in use.

A better understanding of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, showing the invention in conjunction with a conventional table tennis table;

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section, taken at line 2-2 on FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing further details of the invention; and,

FIG. 3 is another view in vertical section, in this instance taken at line 3-3 on FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing other details of the invention.

For the purposes of promoting a better understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of is known, a standard foldable table tennis table 10 includes a hinge 14 on opposite sides thereof. In this instance, the hinge 14 has an elongated hinge pin 14a, where the table tennis table 10 may come with such hinge 14 and elongated hinge pin 14a or' the elongated hinge pin 14a can be substituted on an existing hinge 14.

In any event, a slide 16 is received on the elongated hinge pin 14a, where such slide typically has resilient members 16a on opposite lower portions thereof for purposes of automatic centering when the table tennis table 10 is opened. The net bracket 12 is received in another opening in the slide 16, where such net bracket 12 also includes slidable catch 17.

In use, the slide 16 is received on the elongated hinge pin 14a, and the net bracket 12 inserted in the slide 16. When the desired tension of the net 20 is achieved, the catch 17 is moved to a locking position. Conversely, release is secured by the unlocking of catch 17.

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the invention readily accom lishes the positioning of a net on a table tennis table. nly one unit has been shown,

but, typically, a unit is on opposite sides of the table. Minimum components are involved, and net assembly for table tennis play is easily achieved in a positive manner.

The preceding net holder may be modified within the spirit of the invention. For example, proportioning may be changed and/or the outward configuration altered. Thus, the above description should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims:

We claim:

1. A net holder for a foldable table tennis table having a hinge comprising an elongated hinge pin, 'a slide received on said elongated hinge pin, a net bracket received on said slide for movement into a plurality of different positions relative to said slide, and means for locking said net bracket in any selected one of said different positions.

2. The net holder of claim 1 where said slide has resilient portions selectively engaging said foldable table tennis table. 1

3. The net holder of claim 1 where said locking means is a friction catch. 

1. A net holder for a foldable table tennis table having a hinge comprising an elongated hinge pin, a slide received on said elongated hinge pin, a net bracket received on said slide for movement into a plurality of different positions relative to said slide, and means for locking said net bracket in any selected one of said different positions.
 1. A net holder for a foldable table tennis table having a hinge comprising an elongated hinge pin, a slide received on said elongated hinge pin, a net bracket received on said slide for movement into a plurality of different positions relative to said slide, and means for locking said net bracket in any selected one of said different positions.
 2. The net holder of claim 1 where said slide has resilient portions selectively engaging said foldable table tennis table. 